Silence. Not so much as a bird called from the branches in reply.
“There is no one here.” She turned back to Otto, but he was sitting on a rock and gazing into the river, apparently lost in thought.
“It is I, Ariana,” said a silvery voice near her ear.
Warmth and recognition flooded her. She spun around to face her aunt, her heart threatening to crack open with joy.
“Ysmay.”
They embraced for a long time—long enough for Ariana to push past her worries about the frailty of her aunt’s body and instead rejoice in the fact that they had found one another again.
“How long have you been watching us?” she asked when they finally broke apart.
“Long enough to know that the peace we have longed for is now agreed upon.” Ysmay’s beautiful face creased into a smile. “Thanks to you, dearest Ariana.”
“You could have been hurt.” Ariana frowned, thinking of how very differently the situation with Otto and her father could have gone.
“Nay.” Ysmay’s long white hair fell about her shoulders as she shook her head. “I was well protected.” She motioned behind her, and two druid men stepped from the trees, each of them tall,strong, and carrying a well-strung bow. “My archers were also tasked with keeping you safe. Mercifully, their arrows were not needed today.”
Ariana nodded her appreciation to the calm, silent men.
“It is Otto we should thank. He was the one to seek peace.” Ariana bit down on her lip. “I should so like you to know him better,” she whispered.
Ysmay put her head to one side, like a sparrow. “When last I saw Otto Sarragnac, he was splattered with the blood of his enemies.”
“But much has changed since then.”
Ariana thought her aunt would argue, but Ysmay smiled. “It does my heart good to hear you speak up for your husband.”
“May I call him over?”
Ysmay nodded, and Ariana looked over her shoulder to find Otto already walking across the clearing. He came to a halt a few paces behind them and bowed to Ysmay.
“I am pleased to meet you properly,” he said without preamble. “And I offer my sincerest apologies for the rough treatment you and your people once endured at the hands of my men.”
Ysmay stood tall and proud. “Thank you for your apology, Otto Sarragnac. But let us look to the future now, not the past.”
Otto placed his arm around Ariana’s shoulders. “I promise to take good care of your niece.”
“I have no doubt of it.” Ysmay’s kind eyes met Ariana’s.
Otto cleared his throat. “And I believe we have something of yours in our possession. A ruby necklace. Is that right?”
Ariana gasped. “The Rose of Kenmar.”
“Keep it for yourselves,” Ysmay demurred, shaking her head. “I have no need of jewels.”
“Nay.” Otto’s voice was firm. “The jewel is rightfully yours. I will have it returned as soon as we arrive back in Darkmoor.”
Ysmay nodded her acceptance. “As you wish.”
Ariana grasped her aunt’s slender fingers. “We have no cause to stay apart from one another now. Everything has changed. Why not come back to Darkmoor with us?”
Ysmay squeezed her hands before reaching up to lay a palm against her cheek. “I do not belong in a fortress,” she said softly. “I could not breathe freely within granite walls. I belong here, in the forest where I was born.”
“But Merek would be so pleased to see you.”
Ysmay inclined her head. “Merek knows where he can find me.” Ariana felt tears squeezing from the corners of her eyes, which her aunt gently wiped away. “Do not be sad, child. I shall see you again.”
